Johnny Anthony, 80, died on Friday, May 31, 2013, at home, surrounded by his family and after a brief struggle with cancer.
Born in Hopeville, Ark., northern Calhoun County, on September 22, 1932, Johnny was educated in Bearden, Ark., and Texarkana, Tex. In his youth, he worked in forestry and sawmill jobs during the summer months, and at age eighteen, he and his father, Garland Anthony, purchased and ran a drilling rig, working the South Arkansas oil patch. In 1951 Johnny met and married the love of his life, Sylvia Hollingsworth, of Hampton and Dyess, Ark. The couple later moved to Victoria, Mexico where Johnny helped to build and manage a ponderosa pine sawmill in the mountains. He returned to Hot Springs in 1958 and established Anthony Island Motel on Lake Hamilton. He also operated sawmills in Bearden, Rison, and Fordyce, Ark.
Johnny also enjoyed breeding and racing thoroughbred race horses, and he continued this activity until his death. Other hobbies included fishing, hunting, coin collecting, and cooking. A generous man, he was supportive of Christian organizations, Native American relief funds, homes for troubled youths, and many other worthwhile organizations.
Johnny is survived by his wife, Sylvia, and four children: John G. Anthony of Hot Springs; Mary Anthony of Tulsa, Okla.; Sally Anthony Cross (Ralph) of Hot Springs; and Alice Anthony of Austin, Tex. His surviving eight grandchildren are: Jane A. Olsen (Andy) of Washington, N.C.; Sarah Young of Little Rock; Caroline Anthony of Washington, N.C.; Casey Cross of Dallas, Tex.; Jacob Myrick of Little Rock; Alan Wilson of Hot Springs; Kinley Cross of Hollywood, Cal.; and Ashley Myrick Stripling (John) of Clinton, Ark. He is also survived by 4 great grandchildren. His surviving siblings are Avalene Whitten Reynolds of Bearden, Ark. and Velda Rose Walters of Jenks, Okla., sister-in-law, Melba Anthony of Hot Springs plus many nephews, grandnephews, nieces, and grandnieces.
Johnny was predeceased by his parents, Garland and Flora Autrey Anthony of Bearden, Ark.; his daughter, India Anthony of Hot Springs; his siblings, Earl Anthony, Edwin Anthony, Roberta Louise Anthony, Marjorie Anthony Gray, Nell Grigsby Jones, Garland Anthony II, James N. Anthony, and an unnamed infant.
A visitation will be held at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home at 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, 2013. Johnny's funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Monday at Caruth-Hale. A brief graveside service and interment will follow the funeral at Bethel Cemetery near Bearden Ark.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charities of choice.